Western Hockey League West Division Preview

by Glen Crichton
on

With twenty four days to go before the puck drops on the 1999/2000 Western Hockey League Season all teams in the West Division are well into training camp. Seattle seems like a sure fire pick to lead the division with all their offensive fire power but you can never count out a Don Hay coached team like the Tri-City Americans or perrenial powerhouse Kamloops Blazers. Kelowna returns a solid nucleus and finally have a solid netminder in Kevin Swanson and they could make some noise before all is said and done. Portland and Spokane appear to be two teams searching for a new identity after big runs for the Memorial Cup two years ago and appear headed for very long seasons near the basementof the division. Following are my pre-season picks from top to bottom and a brief synopsis of each team.

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Rangers News and Notes

by Evan Andriopoulos
on

Training Camp is about to start for the newly revamped New York Rangers.

News and Notes:

The Rangers finally cut ties with Scott Fraser. The organization had hoped
for another Adam Graves type player but he did not develop in New York or
Hartford as they hoped. His contract was bought out, but not before Neil
Smith offered him to Chicago for Doug Gilmour or anything. Fraser may try
out with Chicago but is also being sought out by many European teams. Fraser
had 28gp-2-4-6p totals in New York last season.

Now a look at Questions and Youth up front.

Questions?:

The No. 2 center slot as of now has been handed to Manny Malhotra by the
media. However John Muckler is a stickler for factoring in youth to such
high stress positions. Malhotra last year averaged 6 minutes per game
and mostly at the no. 4 spot. Although Malhotra showed many that he can play
at this level, he was instructed to add some
size to his already hulking 6-3 215 frame during the offseason. However Read more»

Cincinnati Roster Taking Shape

by pbadmin
on

After discontinuing their top minor league affiliate in Adirondack, the Detroit Red Wings recently announced a deal that will see approximately eight of their prospects placed in Cincinnati for the 1999-2000 season. The AHL’s Cincinnati Mighty Ducks are Anaheim’s top minor league affiliate. With Detroit’s new farm club not beginning play in Toledo until 2000-2001, the organization needed to find a home for their top prospects. How will the Cincinnati roster take shape this season?

Beginning in the crease, there is little room for Detroit’s top young net minders, Jason Elliott and Aren Miller. Last season’s starter, Tom Askey, is expected to return after a sparkling 1998-1999 season. Askey posted a 2.72 goals against average along with a .918 save percentage, and also saw NHL post-season minutes against Detroit when Guy Hebert was lost to injury. The backup position also appears to be set, with Gregg Naumenko recently signing a two-year pact with Anaheim. Naumenko, an undrafted free agent, was named to the WCHA first all star team and received the WCHA rookie of the year award. Detroit’s top prospect in the crease, Jason Elliott, will likely be loaned to an IHL franchise to earn a starting position. Elliott was the starter in Adirondack for much of last season, but after a spectacular first half he struggled down the stretch. Aren Miller could find himself anywhere this year – likely as a backup in the AHL or IHL, but without a strong training camp possibly the ECHL.

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NHL Prospect Shootout 2 – Day 1 Roundup

by Martin Dittman
on

GAME 1 – Detroit VS. Chicago

The rivalry between these two teams was renewed on Monday night. The game
ended up with 32 penalties and numerous brawls. Even with all the penalties,
the game still ended up deadlocked at a 3-3 tie. Jack McCracken steered away
33 shots while Jonathan Pelletier stopped 30. Chicago held a 3-1 lead in the
third only to see the lead go away when Brent Hobday scored and just over a
minute later, Anton Borodkin tied it. Detroit prospect Ryan Barnes got
plenty of shots in the form of physical play but also added an assist on the
scoresheet. Yuri Butsayev and Borodkin had a goal and an assist playing on
a line together for Detroit. Highly touted prospect Jiri Fischer played a
decent game and ended up a +1 for the night. Ryan Gaucher also played solid
for the Wings.

Chicago’s Mark Bell lived up to his billing by notching a goal in the
first. Rob Mara, coming back from injuries, had a strong game, with good
overall play and adding two assists. Kyle Calder also had an impressive
night as he notched a goal and an assist. As expected, Ty Jones also played
a physical game joining Barnes. Next up for Detroit will be Nashville,
while Chicago will take on St. Louis. 


SCORING SUMMARY
1st Period-
Det - Butsayev, 1 (Borodkin,Barnes) 9:00
Chi - Bell, 1 (Couture,Mara) 15:00
2nd Period-
Chi - Griffin, 1 (Calder,Mara) 10:27
3rd Period- Read more»

John Wikstrom: North America Bound?

by pbadmin
on

Growing up in Sweden, Detroit Red Wings’ defense prospect John Wikstrom always maintained the same goal.

“The dream has always been there and will always stay. To play in the NHL is of highest importance to me,” said Wikstrom recently.

As a youngster, his primary goal was to reach Sweden’s TV-Pucken, a countrywide tournament for junior hockey players. And as Wikstrom’s hockey career progressed, larger goals became realized.

Drafted in the fifth round by Detroit in 1997, Wikstrom spent several years toiling within the Lulea organization in Sweden. Wikstrom’s years with the club were frustrating, and he was never given the opportunity to become a regular in the Swedish Elite League. He saw most of his ice time with Lulea’s junior squad.

Wikstrom is a hulking defenseman, standing 6’4″ and weighing 205 lb. A decent skater for his size, he continues to improve. Wikstrom plays a tough and physical defensive game, and with his great size he is a force. However, in Sweden, his rugged type of game does not fit in, and the rules make it difficult for him to take full advantage of his size.

“I have more of a North American hockey style,” Wikstrom explains.

Following his draft year, Wikstrom ventured across the ocean to the Red Wings’ 1998 training camp in an attempt to make Adirondack of the AHL.

“The training camp I attended is the best hockey memory I have. Perhaps the best memory I’ll ever have,” said Wikstrom, fondly recalling his introduction to the Detroit Red Wing organization.
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